Apparatus for generating gaseous fuel.



. C. WADE.v

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 18. 1916- l filfiwa Patented Apr. 2,191&

2 SHEETS-SHEET lmow H. C. WADE.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING GASEOUS FUEL.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 18. 1916.

1,261,463., Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

5] wvewto'c ("g a 1/4 4 z {44. W 351 we I ENT FFICE.

HENRY CLAY WADE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING GASEOUS FUEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2, 1918.

Application filed December 18, 1916. Serial No. 137,568.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY CLAY WADE,

a citizen of the United States, residing at v New Yorlif in the county of New York and State of ew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Generating Gaseous Fuel, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for generating gaseous fuel and particularly to that type of apparatus disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,121,695 granted December 22,1914.

The invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a combined generator and burner embodying the improvements; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 22 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the combined generator and burner A is constructed as a cup-shaped member having a rim or flange 1, in which is formed a circular generating chamber 2, having an inlet port 3 separated by web 4 from an outlet port 5. The stem a of the cup-shaped member rises from a base 6, and is formed internally with an expansion chamber 7 communicating at its top with a burner tip 9 which is tapped into a threaded aperture 8. The generating chamber receives the heat of a flame issuing from the burner tip 9, and means are provided for deflecting the flame so that it may be directed against the inner wall of flange 1.

To that end the burner head is covered by cap plate 11, formed with a central aperture 12 through which the flame from the burner tip "is projected into contact with a deflecting plate 13. The deflecting plate is provided with a series of annularly arranged perforations 14 through which the flame passes into direct contact with the inner wall of the generating chamber 2, the said wall serving to deflect the flame upwardly. The burner head a is formed with a series of openings 10 tltrou h which air may pass to the burner tip I01 t e purpose of aiding combustion.

The inlet port 3 of the generating chamber 2 communicates with a pipe 15, which in turn communicates with the branch pipe 16 connected with the pipe 17 leading to an oil tank B and connected also with the pipe 18 leading to a water tank C. Communication between the branch pipe and the oil pipe 17 is controlled by a valve 0," and communication between the branch pipe and the water pipe 18 is controlledby. a valve '10. Each of the tanks may be provided with a level gage 19 and one of the tanks may be provided with a pressure gage 20. In the present embodiment of the improvements communication between the tanks is effected.

by means of an air pipe 20, so that air under pressure admitted to the water tank will have equal effect inthe oil tank. It will be understood that means may be provided for varying the pressure in one tank relative to the pressure in the other tank, if desirable.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 of the drawin a conventional hand pump D is shown or creatlng air pressure in; the tanks.

The pump is connected by means of pipe d with the tank. C near the upper end of the latter, a valve d being provided for controlling communication between the pump and the tanks.

By the aforesaid tank arrangement, an emulsion of oil and water may be conveyed under pressure to the generatin chamber 2 via the inlet port 3. It is desira le that the emulsion be sprayed into the generating chamber, and to that end the pipin aperture may be reduced in diameter at t e inlet port, or any suitable means for creating this spray may be provided.

The emulsion leaves the generating hamber in the form of gas, and the gas is conveyed to expansion chamber 7 and thence to the burner 9. To that end the outlet port 5 of the generating chamber communicates with the pipe 21, t e latter being tapped into the stem (1 of the burner and communicating with the expansion chamber 7. For the purpose hereinafter described the generating chamber near outlet port 5 is provided with a coil X of metal and a mesh of like metal is disposed within the expansionchamber 7. The expansion chamber also communicates with the pipe 22 which may lead to a tank for the storage of surplus gas. In the drawings pipe 22 communicates with a conventional gas burner possessing catalytic power,.

sion which passes to the restricted outlet point of, the pipe at which point the emul-' sion is sprayed into the generating chamber.

-'l[he flame from the starting fuel passes upwardly into contact with the inner wall of the generating chamber and. heats the same sufficiently to vaporize a charge of the hydrocarbon emulsion, the water of the emulsion being converted into steam. As the gaseous vapor approaches the outlet port of the generating chamber it is brought intocontact with a metal of high catalytic power and in finely divided form such as a mesh or coil X. This catalyzer initiates chemical reactions in the vapor.

It will be understood that the breaking up or cracking of the hydrocarbon is progressive throughout the generating chamber, and that the hydrocarbon is in such a divided state as it approaches the outlet end of the chamber that it would ordinarily de-' This carbon, however, I

posit free carbon. comes into contact with the highly heated steam in the presence of the catalyzer, and the'latter initiates a double reaction, first, by causing the oxygen to break its chemical bond with the hydrogen and to combine with the carbon, forming carbon monoxid, and secondly, by combinin the free hydrogen with hydrogen and car on atoms arising from the breaking up of the hydrocarbon liquid, the whole being subsequently ex-' panded and formin a fixed gas of hi h calorific power, A ter passing from t e outlet port of the generating chamber the gases pass throu h pipe 21 to the expansion '0 amber 7 where they are expanded in the presence ofa second catalyzer which completes the chemical association of the gases into a fixed gas,

Thecatalyzer should be in a form presenting the that it be disposed so as to malntain its position and not unduly pede the flow argest surface in proportion to its mass, consistent with the re uirement memes oi the gases. Either metallic platinum or nickel possesses the desired action.

It will be understood that various modie fications may be made on the form and arrangement of the elements of the apparatus,

and therefore the invention is not limited I 1. In an apparatus of the character described, a generator comprising a base and an upper cup like section within which a peripheral generating chamber is formed,

means for delivering an emulsion of oil and water to said chamber wherein it is vaporized, a burner supported upon said base, and arranged to deliver its flame against, a wall of the generating chamber, and means for delivering the gaseous vapor from the generating chamber to the burner.

('2. In an apparatus of the character described, a generator comprising agenerating chamber, a catalyzer of metal commum-.'

eating with said chamber, means for delivering an emulsion of oil and water to said chamber wherein it is vaporized and decomposition of the water vapor is initiated, a burner, and means for delivering the gaseous vapor to the burner.

3. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a generator comprising a generating chamber having inlet and outlet ports, a catalyzer located within the generating chamber at the outlet port thereof, means for delivering an emulsion of oil and water to said chamber wherein it is vaporized and decomposition of the water vapor is initiated,

a burner, means for delivering the gaseous vapor to the burner, and means for deflecting the flame of the burner against a wall of the generating hamber. I

In testimony whereof l have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. c

HENRY CLAY WADE.

Witnesses:

Davm G, LEWIS, I Enwnrn R. Marne. 

